Combined ladder, step-ladder, and scaffold.



. PATENTBD AUG. 18 1908.

v o. PATL ND. COMBINED LADDER, STEP LADDER, AND SGAFFOLD.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 26, 1906.

CARL FATLAND, or SLATER, IOWA.

COMBINED LADDER, STEP-LADDER, AND SCAFFOLD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug-.18, 1908'.

Application filed November 26, 1906. Serial No. 345,268.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL FATLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Slater, in the county of Story and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Ladder, Step-Ladder, and Scaffold, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are to provide a device, the parts of which can be adjusted relative to each other in such a way as to form an extensible ladder, a step-ladder and an adjustable scaffold for use in masonry, paper hanging and other work of a similar nature.

The construction of the device may be varied somewhat from that shown, which is simply intended to illustrate one form of mechanism, and acertain desirable kind of material which may be used.

My invention consists in certain details in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various p arts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device when in the position in which it is used as a scaffold. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the de vice in a position as a step ladder. Fig. 3 shows the device extended to its extreme limit of movement as a ladder, and Fig. 4 shows the device in position folded for transportation purposes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a central portion comprising two side rails 10 and 11 and a series of rungs 12 connecting these side rails. The rung on the central portion, which is nearest the lower end, of the device when used as a ladder, I have numbered 13 for the sake of convenience, as it performs the function of holding the one of the extensions of the ladder in line with the central portion in the manner set out hereinafter.

I have provided an outer extension comprising the side rails 14 and 15 which are pivotally connected with the outer side of the side rails 10 and 11 respectively. Connecting the side rails 14 and 15 are a series of rungs 16, two of which rungs are connected with a pair of toothed retaining devices 17 designed to receive the lower portion of the substantially U-shaped rod 18, which rod is pivotally connected at its ends to the side rails 10 and 11. I have provided an inner extension having the two side rails 19 and 20 therein, which are pivoted adjacent to the inner side of the opposite end of the side rails 10 and 1 1 from that to which the side rails 14 and 15 are secured. These side rails 19 and 20 are connected by a series of rungs 21. Connecting two of these rungs is a pair of toothed retaining devices 22 designed to receive the substantially U-shaped rod 23 which is pivoted at its ends to the sides 10 and 11 of the central portion. On one of the rungs of the inner extension 21 is a locking button 25.

When the inner extension is extended, the side rails 19 and 20 engage the inner surfaces of two or more of the rungs 12 and serve to keep these side rails of the outer extension substantially in line with the side rails 10 and 11 of the central portion. When the outer extension is extended the side rails 14 and 15 engage the ends of the rung 13 which extend beyond the sides 10 and 11 of the central portion for keeping the outer extension substantially in line with the central portion.

When this device is folded for transportation the inner extension swings on its pivots to a position between the side rails 10 and 11 of the central portion and the outer extension falls to a osition where its rails are outside of the rai s 10 and 11 of the central portion after the Ushaped rods 18 and 23 have been swung into engagement with the rungs 12.

Then it is desirable to use a very short ladder, the device may be used in its extreme folded position. When, however, it is desirable to use a somewhat longer ladder, the outer extension simply may be swung to its extended position on its pivots and the ladder used. 'VVhen it is desirable to use a still longer ladder, the inner extension may be swung to its extended position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

When the outer and inner extensions are in their extended positions, as shown in Fig. 3, the locking button is turned in such a way that the substantially U-shaped rods 23 engage the outer surfaces of the locking buttons 24 and 25, as shown in Fig. 3 for retaining the ladder in its completely extended position, and prevent the extensions from swinging on their pivots while in use. This result can be easily accomplished owing to the fact that the cross bar of the U-shaped rods are bent out of line with their side portions.

When it is desirable to use a step ladder, the outer extension is swung from a folded position to the position shown in Fig. 2, and my device is in readiness for use.

When it is desirable to use ascaflold for papering, plastering, painting or other purposes, the outer and inner extensions are swung into the positions show-n in Fig. 1, and the Ushaped rods 18 and 23 adjusted between the teeth of the toothed retaining devices 17 and 22 respectively, and a scaffold is provided. The height of the scaffold can be adjusted readily by adjusting the U- shaped rods 18 and 23 relative to their retaining devices.

est utility owing to the fact that it can be so easily transported from one place to another, and that it can be used either as a scaffold, ladder, or step-ladder, and thus save the necessity oftentimes of transporting three separate devices for accomplishing the desired results.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, therefor is 1. In a combined ladder, step-ladder and scaffold, a central portion comprising two side rails and rungs connecting them pivoted to the central portion some distance from the other end thereof, rods pivoted to the ends of the side rails of the central portion and adjustably connected wit'lrthe inner and outer extensions respectively.

2. In a combined ladder, step-ladder and scaffold, a central portion comprising two side rails and rungs connecting them, an outer extension comprising two side rails and rungs connecting them, pivoted to the central portion some distance from the end. thereof, an inner extension comprising two In practical use the device is of the greatside rails and rungs connecting them pivoted to the central .ortion some distance from the other end t ere-of, rods pivoted to the ends of the side rails of the central portion and adjustably connected with. the inner and outer extensions respectively, and means for holding the outer and inner extensions in a folded position relative to the central portion.

CARL FATLAND. Witnesses:

NELS ERSLAND,

P. T. RYEN. 

